My experience on the Component Design module
09/07/2020
![image-1](https://blogs.cranfield.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/image-1-1.jpeg)
My name is Princewill Moh, I am a Nigerian student on the Advanced Mechanical Engineering MSc at Cranfield. When reviewing the course modules and I saw the course content for the Component Design module I had concerns that I may find it boring, or perhaps not very interesting but boy was I in for a shock. From the very first session, I knew I was going to enjoy this. To those who think school should always be serious, please note that this post is not for you.
Paul Lighterness, the module leader, started by introducing us to Innovation as a Concept – something totally new to me. Two things stood out for me:
- Thinking inside the box is as powerful as thinking outside the box (I’ll come back to this later)
- Most good ideas don’t come while ‘at work’, they come when you’re maybe taking a shower or doing something else. (There’s a famous saying about the best ideas and toilets, but we won’t go there…)
![](https://blogs.cranfield.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/image-2-1.png)
Next, we explored the dynamics of teams and the differences between people using some optical illusions (remember the gold/white or blue/black dress? – It’s is blue/black by the way). This showed how the best teams aren’t really the smartest group but the group with skills that complement each other.
![A close up of text on a white background
Description automatically generated](https://blogs.cranfield.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/image.png)
Then we began the hard part, coming up with an innovative idea under 30 minutes and creating a prototype. Of course, the ideas were bizarre as you would expect, someone made a quad-knife (don’t ask me what that is). I came up with a pot that allows the cook to make the best jollof rice. I am from Nigeria, and jollof rice is our national pride. My prototype looked more like a 3-year old’s attempt at creating something, so you’ll have to forgive me for not including a photo.
Instead here’s a photo of some of the stuff we made.
![A kitchen with a table in a room
Description automatically generated](https://blogs.cranfield.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/image.jpeg)
Professor Leon Williams then took us on an enthralling journey of one his own innovations. I can’t tell you what it was or who it was for because of the pesky thing called a ‘Non-Disclosure Agreement’, but the exercise showed us practically how the theory and concepts we were learning were being used in solving the challenges facing companies and organisations in the real world.
During the module we also attempted some prototyping using Arduino (IDE). It had been so long since I last used a breadboard so I had to quickly brush up my knowledge of switches, resistors, batteries, lights and sensors. The coding wasn’t complex, so we played around with ideas like temperature sensors, lighting etc. My teammate tried to create a Theremin… and failed. Maybe next time, Alex.
![A person on a computer
Description automatically generated](https://blogs.cranfield.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/image-1-1.jpeg)
The week didn’t end without us practicing both teamwork and innovation by forming groups and creating an innovation for the household. My group had the novel idea of an indoor farm, not just indoors, but a farm in the kitchen for urban dwellers. We initially came up with a bulky refrigerator-like design but we knew it would take up too much space. Paul urged us to think outside the box, so we did … and the wonderful idea we settled for was… wait for it… a smaller BOX (see I told you I’d come back to it).
![A picture containing indoor, wall, cabinet, table
Description automatically generated](https://blogs.cranfield.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/image-1-1.png)
It was altogether an engaging and really enjoyable experience, and I got to learn while also having fun. This module is one that will really stand out for me. Finally, here’s a photo of the class.
Categories & Tags:
Leave a comment on this post:
You might also like…
Keren Tuv: My Cranfield experience studying Renewable Energy
Hello, my name is Keren, I am from London, UK, and I am studying Renewable Energy MSc. My journey to discovering Cranfield University began when I first decided to return to academia to pursue ...
3D Metal Manufacturing in space: A look into the future
David Rico Sierra, Research Fellow in Additive Manufacturing, was recently involved in an exciting project to manufacture parts using 3D printers in space. Here he reflects on his time working with Airbus in Toulouse… ...
A Legacy of Courage: From India to Britain, Three Generations Find Their Home
My story begins with my grandfather, who plucked up the courage to travel aboard at the age of 22 and start a new life in the UK. I don’t think he would have thought that ...
Cranfield to JLR: mastering mechatronics for a dream career
My name is Jerin Tom, and in 2023 I graduated from Cranfield with an MSc in Automotive Mechatronics. Originally from India, I've always been fascinated by the world of automobiles. Why Cranfield and the ...
Bringing the vision of advanced air mobility closer to reality
Experts at Cranfield University led by Professor Antonios Tsourdos, Head of the Autonomous and Cyber-Physical Systems Centre, are part of the Air Mobility Ecosystem Consortium (AMEC), which aims to demonstrate the commercial and operational ...
Using grey literature in your research: A short guide
As you research and write your thesis, you might come across, or be looking for, ‘grey literature’. This is quite simply material that is either unpublished, or published but not in a commercial form. Types ...